Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Islamic holidays. In 2026, based on the lunar Islamic calendar, it is projected to begin on the evening of Friday, June 5, and last until the evening of Tuesday, June 9, with the main day of celebration on Saturday, June 6. The exact date is contingent on the sighting of the moon.
The holiday commemorates the Quranic story of the Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, who provided a ram to sacrifice instead. It marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, a religious duty for Muslims.
Observances include special prayers, the ritual sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, and the distribution of the meat in three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy. This act emphasizes charity and community.
Eid al-Adha is a public holiday in many Muslim-majority countries and is observed by Muslim communities worldwide. The traditions and scale of celebration can vary significantly by region and culture.
